Made possible by funding from the European Commission’s B4Life initiative, the African Wildlife project will enable coordinated conservation work across the species’ natural habitats. Interested parties can learn about applying for grant on the page apply for a grant.

Despite successful conservation action in southern Africa, the lion (Panthera leo) remains listed as globally Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ due to declines in other regions across Africa. Recent studies indicated approximately 7,000 cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) remain in the wild. Meanwhile, only 500 Endangered Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis) survive, confined to isolated mountain ranges in Ethiopia’s highlands. Leopards are also declining in most of their range.

The new programme will enable coordinated conservation action by financing a portfolio of conservation projects undertaken by civil society organisations across the continent. It will address human-wildlife conflict, which is at the root of much of the decline, by generating alternative livelihoods for local communities. It will also contribute to ensuring the long-term survival of smaller carnivores and prey species such as various antelope species by empowering civil society organisations which will work with relevant authorities and involve local communities in finding solutions to prevent their extinction.

Concrete outputs expected include increases in the populations of species targeted by each project and in critical habitat area as well as the reduction of direct threats and conflicts.

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Brussels, Belgium, 6 April 2017 (IUCN) – Protecting lions, cheetahs and other iconic African species by helping local communities coexist with these predators is the goal of a new 12 million euro programme, funded by the European Commission, to be managed by IUCN’s SOS - Save Our Species initiative.

In partnership with the European Commission, IUCN’s SOS – Save Our Species is delighted to confirm the first ten projects for funding through its African Wildlife initiative. This marks the beginning of an exciting period for coordinated species conservation action across the continent helping protect many of its iconic yet threatened animals.